Career highlights: After working for six years in the industry I acquired Thompson Engineering in 2008 during the peak of the recession. Since then, I have grown the company to over 20 employees, quadrupled gross sales and have become one of SouthCoast's top engineering firms.

In 2013, I started Farland Corp. which specializes in residential and commercial site development. I envision Farland Corp. will grow as fast as Thompson Farland due to my ambition, business mentality and established relationships. I was honored to be one of the youngest professionals to receive the Legacy of Leadership Award from UMass Dartmouth in 2013. My biggest accomplishment has been doing all the above while still making time for my wife and four children.

Community service: I am the current president of the South Coast Business Alliance, trustee at the Global Learning Charter Public School, board member of the UMass Dartmouth Faculty Advisory Board, board member of the South Coast Hospital Business Council and former chairman of the New Bedford Planning Board. I have grown the SCBA to 15 members, started scholarship funds at UMass Dartmouth and recently a Legacy Fund. 2014 is slated to be the most successful year to date for the non-profit.

For the past two years I have also supported Team Owen by raising money and running in the New Bedford Half Marathon in order to increase awareness of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and honor Owen.

Who is the leader you admire most and why?

GOD. I have not always lived my life like GOD, however when I started happiness resulted. GOD has a plan for all of us, it's simple he wants us to become more like him. That does not mean that we have to live a perfect life, as he knows it won't be. But while we are here on earth he expects us to try our best and learn from our mistakes. There have been times in my life that I have made poor choices, which led to unhappiness. Likewise, my good choices have led to happiness. I admire and thank GOD daily for the gifts he has given me. Living life like GOD has allowed be to be an Emerging SouthCoast Leader.

Describe your ideal SouthCoast.

My ideal SouthCoast would be the best place in Massachusetts to live, work and raise a family. After all, this is the mission of the SCBA. As a younger business professional I am committed to being in New Bedford my entire career and life, in which I will do all I can to assure the SouthCoast future leaders follow in the footsteps of the current and past emerging leaders. Although, the SouthCoast is not where I would like it to be right now, I believe if emerging leaders and the community work together, eventually the SouthCoast will be the ideal place to live, work and raise a family. #MIH